PACKET INSTRUCTIONS: Soak a few hours before planting. Best planted in succession. May start in flats and transplant 6" apart into sunny, good, non-acid, well drained garden soil. Germination is poor if soil is over 85F. Spade in some compost; needs plenty of nitrogen available. Does not like heat - plant early. Also plant late summer for fall and up to frost for early spring crop. Keep plants watered and weeded. Should not be grown on light sand or gravel. Harvest whole plant or trim leaves.

BOTANICAL NAME: Spinacia oleracea

DESCRIPTION:

A classic American heirloom, pre-1908, considered a benchmark for flavor. From the golden age of American seeds men. Glossy dark-green savoyed leaves. Succession-sow in spring. Bred as a spring/summer spinach, and can last through a fair amount of heat if given shade, succession-sowed and not allowed to dry out. Keeping it picked helps too.

Photo courtesy of:

Weiser Farm's Bloomsdale Spinach-KCRW Radio's Good Food blog-Streaming Live and Archived every Saturday from 11 Am to 12 PM-blogs.kcrw.com/goodfood